If you had to defend your home and loved ones, what Caliber?

[JYD911]

I am interested in some Caliber discussion for take down power, and end of threat.
I am finding more and more stories of home invasion shootouts where the suspects although hit in the torso, end up just fine. Not that I wish death on anyone, but if I come under threat I want something that ends the threat and not just wounds, as in if i hit my mark end of story.

Here is a perfect example, the suspects were hit and decided to flee, but in all honesty could have stayed and continued the assault.

"A mother and son were enjoying the evening when armed men broke through the front door of their home with a rifle and handgun demanding money. The 15 year old son was shot in the leg and the mother the arm as she tried to get to the back of the home."

http://junkyarddog911.blogspot.com/2014/06/mother-son-shot-in-home-invasion-father.html

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[bellarum]

My "plan" is to start with the 9mm I carry on me, but if it takes more than 18rnds to get to the 870 loaded with 16rnds of 00 buck; my wife had better have the safe open!

 

[solv3nt]

My "plan" is to start with the 9mm I carry on me, but if it takes more than 18rnds to get to the 870 loaded with 16rnds of 00 buck; my wife had better have the safe open!

How does your 870 hold 16 rounds?

 

[JSJPDX]

12GA with 00 Buck and either .45 or.40, which ever I have with me at the time.

 

[GrpCapMandrake]

Hello JYD911

You are asking a very broad question that I feel doesn't have a clear answer. You could defend your house with a S&W 500, but if you can't hit the broad side of a barn it won't make much difference. Likewise a .38 could do just as well. A lot has to do with your accuracy and the conditions under which you are shooting

I will say that most people choose one of the popular three rounds for personal defense, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45ACP.

However as stated above you could also use a shotgun, great stopping power.

 

[bellarum]

How does your 870 hold 16 rounds?

Saddled up!

 

[bellarum]

How does your 870 hold 16 rounds?

Saddled up!

 

[solv3nt]

Saddled up!

I was going to get excited that there was an extension tube that could hold 16 rounds in my 870.

 

[Martini_Up]

#4 buckshot

 

[BAMCIS]

5.56mm in standard 30 round magazines.

 

[WashCoDad]

Home invasion is my worst fear since I dont carry when i am in my safe zone.
Small children in the house means all firearms are locked up.
My weapon would most likely be my pocket knife since it is always in my pocket.
If i had time to retrieve a firearm, i have a 12 ga with staggered rounds set up for the task.

 

[bellarum]

I was going to get excited that there was an extension tube that could hold 16 rounds in my 870.

I went and checked it out. It will carry 18 rnds 2 3/4 with one in the pipe. I cant run through the saddles very fast but I'm working on doing it smoothly.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

oh no, caliber war is back.

best caliber is one that you can shoot well. shot placement (training) is the key.

9mm is smallest I will go down to for defensive round.

 

[AS556]

Any service caliber will make a fine defensive round, inside the home or not. I tried .40 SW for awhile but it was cost prohibitive. I'm back to 9mm and am staying put.

Given the choice I'd take 30 rounds of M193 or 75gr OTM.

 

[wichaka]

oh no, caliber war is back.

best caliber is one that you can shoot well. shot placement.

Yes!

Fast target acquisition and shot placement should be thought of first before jackin the jaws about caliber selection.
Too much of the usual, jaw jackin and not enough of getting actual training time.

 

[nextgenar]

300 weatherby! 1 shot, fight is over.

 

[jbett98]

If I can't settle it with 7 rds of 00 buck, then I have bigger problems then I expect.

 

[deen_ad]

<- Why there aren't any school shootings in Israel!
Teacher with long gun slung over her shoulder!!!

I was going to get excited that there was an extension tube that could hold 16 rounds in my 870.

KSG holds 7+7+1 of 2¾ or 11+11+1 of Aguila half size.

Deen
NRA Life Member, Benefactor Level
NRA Golden Eagle member
Defender of Freedom Award
NRA Recruiter
Second Amendment Foundation Member
Washington Arms Collectors Member
Arms Collectors of SW Washington Member

"A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don't have it, you'll probably never need one again!"

 

[deen_ad]

<- Why there aren't any school shootings in Israel!
Teacher with long gun slung over her shoulder!!!

300 weatherby! 1 shot, fight is over.

Only if you hit the perp!

Deen
NRA Life Member, Benefactor Level
NRA Golden Eagle member
Defender of Freedom Award
NRA Recruiter
Second Amendment Foundation Member
Washington Arms Collectors Member
Arms Collectors of SW Washington Member

"A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don't have it, you'll probably never need one again!"

 

[deen_ad]

<- Why there aren't any school shootings in Israel!
Teacher with long gun slung over her shoulder!!!

oh no, caliber war is back.
best caliber is one that you can shoot well. shot placement (training) is the key.
9mm is smallest I will go down to for defensive round.

Which is why I carry a 1911 in .45.
.380 in my bathrobe pocket.
Taurus Judge in the bedroom.
12 Ga in the bedroom closet.
Attack cats on duty, all seven of them.

Deen
NRA Life Member, Benefactor Level
NRA Golden Eagle member
Defender of Freedom Award
NRA Recruiter
Second Amendment Foundation Member
Washington Arms Collectors Member
Arms Collectors of SW Washington Member

"A gun is like a parachute. If you need one and don't have it, you'll probably never need one again!"